Cerium-containing hydrodesulfurization catalysts and uses

Abstract

Catalysts for hydrodesulfurization (HDS), e.g., of fuel such DBT in a batch reactor, may include Ce-modified SBA CoMo-sulfided catalysts. The dispersion and catalytic activity of the active species (CoMoS₂) may be influenced by the Ce—Si network in the support. The physico-chemical properties of such catalysts—textural properties, crystallinity, metal oxide reducibility, and Mo phases—were established, and BET surface area, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy analysis showed up to 2.5 wt. % Ce incorporation into the Si-network in SBA-15. Up to 2.5 wt. % Ce loading on the SBA-15 support can provide large BET surface area and total pore volume. The metal oxide reducibility and MoS₂ phase in the sulfided 2.5Ce—S—CoMo catalyst indicate moderate metal-support interaction at 2.5Ce wt. %. Improved HDS activity was shown with Ce loading up to 2.5 wt. %, possibly due to Ce's facilitation of metal oxide reduction and dispersion of the MoS₂ active phase via metal-support interaction.

Description

[0001]The gracious support provided by the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in funding this work through project No. DSRNUS15105 is acknowledged.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention[0002]The present disclosure relates to hydrodesulfurization (HDS), particularly ultradeep HDS, and catalysts for carrying out HDS, as well as the manufacture of such catalysts and the products formed by the hydrodesulfurization. The catalysts may comprise ceria and / or a mesoporous silica support, such as SBA-15.Description of the Related Art[0003]World energy demand has risen with increasing population and industrialization. Fossil fuels continue to be a major source of energy. Fossil fuels have recently shown increasing amounts of sulfur due to continuous oil exploration. The presence of sulfur in fuels hampers the hydrocracking process, i.e., the method of producing low molecular weight and more volatile fractions, such as natural gas and gasolines, from crude oils, d...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0032]Aspects of the invention provide hydrodesulfurization methods, comprising: contacting a sulfur-containing hydrocarbon stream with any inventive activated catalyst under hydrogen at a pressure in a range of 2 to 10 MPa and temperature in a range of 300 to 400° C. to thereby reduce a sulfur content of the hydrocarbon stream.

Problems solved by technology

The presence of sulfur in fuels hampers the hydrocracking process, i.e., the method of producing low molecular weight and more volatile fractions, such as natural gas and gasolines, from crude oils, due to catalyst deactivation.

In addition, refinery equipment and pipelines are corroded by sulfur in fuels.

In the environment, transportation fuels with high sulfur contents may pollute more severely by releasing sulfur oxides, such as sulfur(IV)oxide, and consequently acid rain, causing severe health issues and ecological damage.

Regular use of high sulfur fuels in motor vehicles can also lead to knocking in vehicle engines.

These stringent sulfur regulations have put refineries in the challenging situation of searching for new hydrotreating catalysts that can work effectively while bringing down the sulfur level below 10 ppm.

However, research indicates that alumina-supported catalysts suffer rapid deactivation due to strong metal support interactions between alumina and the active metals.

However, Xiao does not disclose using its catalyst in hydrodesulfurization, and Xiao's active phase is NiCo—CeO2, not CoMoS2.

However, Huang does not describe using cerium in any portion of its catalysts, let alone in the carrier or in a particular percentage.

Nguyen does not disclose the use of cerium in its catalysts.

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